Bevan named PGA Cup captain

JON Bevan has promised to leave no stone unturned in his quest to land the PGA Cup after being appointed captain of the Great Britain and Ireland team.

JON BEVAN

The teaching professional from Rhos-on-Sea in north Wales will lead the 10 man side to face the United States at CordeValle Golf Resort in California next September 18-20.

Bevan, 47, came close to winning the Llandudno Trophy on his debut at Reynolds Plantation, Georgia, in 2007 where he was undefeated picking up three-and-a-half points out of four as GB&I narrowly lost 13.5-12.5.

He remains passionate about the biennial match play event and also represented GB&I in 2009, while last year he was vice captain to Russell Weir at Slaley Hall when the match was memorably tied after a stunning Sunday singles fightback.

“I can’t describe how proud, excited and terrified I am, it is the gamut of emotions rolled into one and I can’t wait,” said Bevan, who began his career as an assistant at Llandudno Golf Club which has historic ties with the event having donated the trophy that the teams now contest.

“We know what we are up against but having spoken to Sandy (Jones) I know his enthusiasm for the PGA Cup and we won’t leave any box unticked in preparing for it.

“Until I got there (Reynolds Plantation) I didn’t realise what emotions the PGA Cup would bring out within me.

“And having stood with Russell Weir – he is PGA Cup through and through – it means the world to captain GB&I in the PGA Cup. I’m also fed up being on the losing side, the end of tournament party is never a good party to attend.”

Bevan is aiming to take a leaf out of Paul McGinley’s book by fostering a strong team spirit as he attempts to be the first captain to win on US soil since the competition’s inception in 1973.
“We need to do what Europe did at the Ryder Cup – we need to be a pod of 10 plus captains and vice captains all pulling in the right direction,” he vowed.

“As somebody who always felt a bit of an underdog, I love looking into somebody’s eyes in the heat of match play.

“I’m quite an emotional character and it brings out incredible emotions to leave the golf course with a point.

“That point or half point is so insignificant yet at the same time can be so massive as we saw at Reynolds Plantation where one shot can be the difference.”

Bevan will be keeping a close eye on the Titleist PGA Play-Offs at the end of November where the top three finishers will qualify automatically for the team.

Six other places will be decided at the conclusion of next year’s PGA Professional Championship while Bevan will have a captain’s pick.

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones added: “Jon is an excellent appointment, he has the experience of playing in two matches and also has the experience of being vice captain to Russell Weir in 2013 and actually experienced captaincy when Russell was taken ill on the Saturday.

“He brings complete passion to the game and has a great understanding of the game. His ambition is to be the first captain to bring the trophy back from the USA with GB&I never having tasted victory on US soil and I know he will give it everything.”

The USA holds an overall 17 wins record with GB&I winning five times and four draws.